CEREALTHRILLER Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Hi, New to the forum so just want to say hello. I have a question and all advice will be greatfully received. I want to intoduce my son to shooting and I now think that he is responsible enough and is also physically able to start shooting. He's 9 and I was thinking of getting him his first shotgun on his 10th birthday early next year but what would be suitable a 410 or a 28 or 20 bore?Unfortunately there are no gun shops or shooting grounds within miles to go and see whats available and I doubt if they would have anything for youngsters. Has anyone been in a similar position and been delighted with the gun choice they made? Thanks in advance for any replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazzyboi Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 i would get him on the 28 bore or if you think he could handle it a 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me and my lad Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 ello, my lad started with a 410 just over a year ago, he was 8 1/2 at the time. only shot with a 410 three or four times, the gun was too light for him. got him a cynergy 20 bore for christmas last year, its great for him. recoil is minimal to say the least. have let a few kids try it where we shoot, the spindly/weedy kids (just about all of them)struggle with it. unless he is quite strong i would say go with a 410 for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 if he is big for his age why not a 12b semi automatic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 There was a question in the ST along exactly the same lines, the gun expert replied saying that he would not recommend a 410 as a starter gun as he called it a specialist weapon with a small pattern that can make them hard to shoot accurately with. He suggested 28 or 20 bore as they are slightly more forgiving and more relevant to moving up to 16 or 12 bore. I actually started out with a 16 bore, still have it in fact, but I was in my teens before I was allowed a “proper†gun. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the last engineer Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 reach on a 12 gauger semi may be a little too long i would go for a 20g 391 urika semi or even a franchi, good all round guns with potential. the 391 i use for a lot of training suits all sizes. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Do not get a .410. As said previously, it's a gun for an experienced and competent shot. I learnt with a 20-bore O/U, and I still have the gun. Starting with a gun that doesn't pack a decent punch (and throw a good pattern) is just demoralising. So go for as big a calibre as he can realistically manage. An O/U is more versatile than a semi, if he'll be doing any game shooting over the coming years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Cost of ammunition would rule out a .410 in my book. 28 or 20 - 20's are more common and shells would be cheaper - I think. 20 bore auto would be my vote - could depend on what type of shooting - rough, game, clays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeH Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Do not get a .410. As said previously, it's a gun for an experienced and competent shot. I learnt with a 20-bore O/U, and I still have the gun. Starting with a gun that doesn't pack a decent punch (and throw a good pattern) is just demoralising. So go for as big a calibre as he can realistically manage. An O/U is more versatile than a semi, if he'll be doing any game shooting over the coming years. wholeheartedly agree with this .. .410 throws out less therefore less chance of a hit, and it's like swinging a broomhandle - light and hard to control smoothly. You lad'll learn more with a 20 bore O/U and he'll be shooting it for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caplock Posted December 13, 2006 Report Share Posted December 13, 2006 Hatsan escort 12 or 20 bore semi-synthetic youth model. Cheap as chips and will handle all the loads you wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
me and my lad Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 dont see the problem with starting with a 410 ?? ok its harder to hit things with but its good for accuracy. my lad used to hit 18 ex 25 with a 410, with his 20 he's now getting 22/33 ex 25 every time out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I would go with a semi. I took my other half out shooting a couple of years back at a clay ground. The ground had a 20b O/U that she could use so away we went. After 20 shots she'd had enough so I fired the last 5 of the round - geez it kicked liked a donkey! Admittedly it didn't have a kick-ease pad, but it was mainly due to the gun being so light compared to the loads it was firing...just worth considering when buying a gun - hence until your son is big enough to handle a 12b O/U I would go with a semi, even a small bore semi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby t Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 hatsan the escort semi auto makers produce a 20bore 3 shot semi 13" stock and 24- 26" barrel 5 chokes and 3 year warrenty under £400. if not try a 28bore if he is uncomfortable with a 20, rottweil have been advertising a newish gun and lincoln also make small scale guns for around £500, if you can however afford it get a gun from one of the better manufacturers, miroku make their mk70 in 28 or 20 fabarm also make their axis in 28 or 20, it all depends on whether your son is comfortable with a 20 and your price range. in my opion i would not bother with a .410, some people will say they are brilliant to teach a young lad with but they just make life harder to hit things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Some good advice here, but I would add that it would depend on how he is built as to what is best to start him with. Too much gun and he may get put off with the recoil, not enough and he may get disillusioned by not hitting enough, it's a fine line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I'd go for a 20g semi auto without a doubt. :blink: Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby t Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 i started with a 12g sbs shooting 32grams when i was 12 the gun weighed about 7 lbs. i thought it was fine to shoot, then decided to get a 20b got a overunder weighs about 6 3/4 lbs much better shot with that, it wasn't the kick from the 12 it was a bit too big at the time, got the 20 and it felt like pointing a stick in comparison, my advice would be to get a 20bore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEREALTHRILLER Posted December 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Hi, Thankyou for all your replies I really didn't expect such a fantastic response to my question. Looks like a 20 bore is the way to go. He's quite big for his age but I don't want to put him off if I get him a gun thats too heavy or one that has too much recoil but I suppose he could you use light cartridges 28g?. Its still going to be a difficult choice. Great forum guys. Thankyou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Don't forget that recoil is only relative to the weight of the gun, the weight of shot being fired, and the speed it is propelled to! A light load in a 12 will recoil a lot less than an equal weight of shot from a 20 :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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